Embracing the Journey: Saira Demmer’s Path to CEO at SF Recruitment

Saira Demmer is the current CEO of SF Recruitment, a role she has held since 2018. Prior to joining SF Recruitment, Saira was UK CEO and CFO at Ignata, where she significantly contributed to the company's growth to over £40 million in turnover. Her background also includes six years at Deloitte in their M&A strategy team, working on high-profile deals in the recruitment sector.

Under Saira's leadership, SF Recruitment has undergone a major transformation, particularly in embracing flexible working models which have resulted in doubled productivity and tripled profitability. Her focus on a people-centric business model has also led to significant improvements in employee performance and rewards.

Saira exemplifies a modern leader who has advanced her career through passion, resilience, and continuous learning. Her journey to the top wasn't meticulously planned however, but evolved organically through her enthusiasm and commitment to excellence.

In this article Saira shares insights into her unplanned journey to becoming CEO. She emphasises the importance of pursuing roles that energise and inspire you. Her approach to leadership is rooted in authenticity and passion, focusing on what she enjoys and naturally excels at. This philosophy has not only propelled her career but also shaped her leadership style at SF Recruitment. Her ability to lead with empathy, passion, and strategic vision has been instrumental in the company's success.

Saira’s rise to CEO is filled with valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. The ‘secret sauce’ to her success as outlined by Saira includes:

1. Energy and Passion: Saira believes in taking on roles that invigorate you and enable you to energise others. This creates a positive feedback loop that drives both personal and organisational growth.
   
2. Self-Management: Effective leadership starts with managing oneself. Saira underscores the importance of self-discipline and personal effectiveness as the foundation for leading others.
   
3. Hard Work and Persistence: There are no shortcuts to success. Saira’s journey highlights the necessity of consistent effort and dedication. She emphasises that repeated hard work is essential for achieving long-term goals.
   
4. Embrace Imperfection: Saira advises that nothing is ever perfect, and striving for perfection can hinder risk-taking and innovation. Embracing imperfection allows for growth and creativity.
   
5. Enjoy the Journey: Success is meaningful only if you enjoy what you do and the people you work with. Saira’s focus on enjoying the process and building meaningful relationships is a cornerstone of her leadership philosophy.

Saira’s journey demonstrates that with the right mindset and dedication, achieving leadership excellence is possible without a rigid roadmap and is a testament to the power of passion-driven leadership. Her insights offer guidance for anyone aspiring to climb the corporate ladder. By focusing on what energises you, managing yourself effectively, and embracing the journey with its imperfections, you too can achieve remarkable success!